Pioneer Woman at Heart

One Flourishing, Frugal and Fun Family!

One family learning to live off the land, cut back on expenses, and to live a simpler and a more self-sufficient lifestyle.

Adopted Motto

"Eat it up,
Wear it out,
Make it do,
Or go without."
~A Pioneer Sampler, by Barbara Greenwood~

Thursday, April 8, 2021

Blooms ~ Wild Violets and Lilac ~ Asparagus ~ Woodpecker

 



More pretty blooms are coming up.

We are getting lilacs this year (unless the upcoming freeze kills it again like last year).




Wild violets are coming up early this year.


Asparagus is coming up early this year too, so I hopped out to my beautiful garden and weeded it.  I can see what needs covered if covering is needed.  So excited to be in the garden for once.

A woodpecker built a home in the tree that my clothesline is attached to.  It comes out and gives me heck when I use the line now.





I finished the order for 2 scrubbies using the scrubby yarn from Red Heart.

Where I spent most of my day.  So far no rain either.  The wind has picked up this morning, but no rain yet.



Wednesday, April 7, 2021

Nothing much....

 

There is literally nothing much going on this week.  I spent most of yesterday outside.  The weather got up to the 80's!  Woohoo to that.  While I took time to crochet on the porch, this beautiful bird came for a visit.  When it flies, the blue wings are so beautiful!  I did some research, and I think it may be a bluebird.  Does anyone know? Just curious.

We are still enjoying leftovers for dinner.  Today will finish the all up though (Daughter K is taking them to work for her dinner).  I made a breakfast casserole yesterday, but have no idea what to do for dinner.  Maybe grill out since the weather is nice again, with rain moving in later this evening.

Although it's tempting to start weeding flower beds and such, I do think it's a bit early yet.  If the temps drop, the leaves give my herb garden protection.  My green onions are looking pretty good right now.

I received on order for two dish scrubbers.  I haven't used the pattern (different one) in so long, so that's on the to-do list today. Hopefully I can find the pattern.  I have already found the yarn used for this scrubber.

I'll admit, I've been lazy this week, but the list writing needs done.  I should be getting up to town and getting paint to paint the hallway doors in this wonderful weather.

Daughter K said she went to take the dogs out and turned the light on.  There was a huge raccoon enjoying himself to the cat food.  She said, "Mom I named him Harold."  I responded, "Um, out here we don't name them."  Oh, the laughs we had.

Well, I hope your week has been good.  I haven't seen too many blogposts to read, nor haven't had that many visitors this year.  I hope you are enjoying my blog, although today's seems drawn out and nothing exciting.  Gawd it's been a rough year already, and for some reason we are all feeling more depressed than ever.  Not sure, other than the way our state is being run and feeling "enough is enough" and so forth.

I'm glad I have the crochet order, or I'd be a wallowing mess wandering around the house today.  I need to find my positive inner peace again.  

Tuesday, April 6, 2021

Beautiful Sunrises and Tidbits

 


Two different sunrises from last week.

Our tiny town library is having a book sale.  Wow, they have a lot for sale this time.  However, after my big purge, I will not be going.  I love book sales too.  They are something fun to do for a day.  Nope.  Not this gal.  Maybe if there was a specific book I was looking for, but for now will stay away, ha ha!

I spent the day cleaning and forgot that I needed a breakfast baked.  We don't lack leftovers for dinner, but we have nothing for breakfast per say.  I have eggs, but will see about whipping something up today.

We are to get up to close to 80°F today.  Can you believe that?  No, I am not cleaning flower beds or the garden just yet, but hope to enjoy some porch time today.







Monday, April 5, 2021

Happy Homemaker Monday



Saturday I got these two made and really spent the day on the porch after that.  It was somewhat nice out, sun was shining, and my husband and I played cards on the porch.  First day off work in 2 weeks.

Easter Sunday we finished up the rest of the feast, played more cards, and took off on the Harley and delivered my Mom an Easter meal.  My husband helped cook on Sunday. It was absolutely perfect riding weather.  Just what the both of us needed.

Instead of the usual green bean casserole, I made BBQ green beans, using home grown green beans and home canned ketchup.  So good!

Work called my husband Easter Sunday.  He, thankfully, did not answer the call.



                                                    


Today I am joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.  I will link up when she posts.  I have tons of dishes to wash, laundry to start, etc etc.


The weather outside is . . .

69°F/54°F, rain rolls in today.


How I am feeling this morning . . .

Is it possible to feel rested and exhausted at the same time?  That's me today.  Rested that I got time with my husband and had a great weekend, but exhausted from washing dishes. 


On the breakfast plate . . .

Leftover breakfast.


On my reading pile . . .

Nothing right now.


On my TV . . .

Nothing in particular.


On the menu this week . . .

-leftovers

-leftovers (maybe)

-possibly a new recipe to try 


Looking around the house . . .


I brought in more daffodils on this gloomy day.  It's definitely looking like rain today.


Well, I think it's time to make a trip to Goodwill this week.  Tired of walking around the boxes.


To relax this week I will . . .

Alone time on the porch.  Maybe crochet.  Maybe even do some journaling.


Something I want to share . . .

Oddly, nothing today.  It's been a busy week.


Prayers . . .

For House Bill 202 in Ohio to pass and quickly pass (lifts mask mandate and prevents the Gov. from mandating it ever again). Our country.



Saturday, April 3, 2021

Easter Meal Prep ~ Another Cold Day

 

Friday I did some Easter meal prep . . .



Cooked bacon for crock pot BBQ green beans.


Baked carrot cake.



Made roll dough.



Made pineapple pie.  Just have to top it with whipped cream.

Guess who was up at the crack of dawn?  Me.  My husband got the weekend off, but forgot to shut off his 5:30am alarm.

Hopefully our cold weather days are done now.  We are to gradually warm up again.

Something I noticed at the grocery store - the water refill station is now open again.  They have had it closed for a year.  It's easier and cheaper to get water by the gallon in another location, but sometimes it's more convenient at the store.  So happy to see that.

Have a wonderful Easter weekend!

Friday, April 2, 2021

Random Tidbits


About mid-morning yesterday, it snowed. Yes, that's right.  Snow.  Cold and snow.  




I found out yesterday, that due to the restrictions still forced upon us in our state, Ohio Bike Week 2021 has been canceled.  Two years in a row now.  They instead are holding a spring rally at the Harley dealer.  We are all so tired of the restrictions in our state.  Just so tired of it all.  It's really wearing us all down mentally.

Daughter K went to town to get a hair cut from her sister, so I joined along.  I pampered myself with a conditioning treatment - coconut and tea tree oil.

Getting out of the house is fun, but sick of the mask mandate.  My hometown extended their own mandate until late June.  

Speaking of mandates, our Gov. has said he doesn't plan to free us until end of April or in May.  It's getting ridiculous.  I also feel that the longer he locks us down, the more families are not getting together, and the lack of that is mentally and physically stressing (depressing) us out.

The girls are having problems with their face breaking out from the mask wearing.  I mixed up a carrier oil with tea tree oil and had them dab it on with a Q-tip (avoiding eye areas).  Works much better for them than anything sold in stores.

Okay, off my soapbox...

I got home in time to make a sheet pan dinner.  I did not expect to spend Easter weekend like this.  Sigh.  My husband is working today and it is a Holiday day, meaning he was to automatically have it off.  He is not.  He's working a 3rd 16 (double shift) day today.

I learned something new while watching a different cooking channel a few days back.  I can't wait to try it this summer.  If it works as they say, I'll be sharing it later this summer.  


Thursday, April 1, 2021

Day Out

Daughter K and I made another trip to a small town to finish up our Easter Baskets.  


I bought myself a few treats of a different kind . . .



I honestly had no plans to buy anything, but decided to treat myself.  I bought a motorcycle garden stone for the flower bed, and a few pairs of new socks - camping and wine bottles/glasses.  I am now officially on their frequent buyer system.  After so many dollars spent, you get $5 off your next visit, and the points to not expire.  They are locally operated, and have lots of neat items for gift giving.

Oddly, the antique stores were all closed, so we ventured onto another larger city.  I, for some reason, thought they had a JoAnn's Fabric, but did not.  They had Michael's and Hobby Lobby.  We ventured into Michael's.  I haven't been to one in a long, long time.

The prices on items were so high, I did not know they didn't sell fabric, and their yarn section was small and over priced.  They also reduced their coupon to 20% off.  I didn't buy anything.

I had plans to make a nice dinner, but Daughter K left to visit her boyfriend, Daughter E wasn't home, and my poor husband was forced to work 2nd shift.  He is so worn out.

I am so glad I had leftovers and baked a breakfast.  I got up and brewed him coffee, packed his lunch and got him off to work again this morning.  He is so, so tired.  

We are in a cold spell right now.  It's 29°F this morning and it'll be cold tomorrow.  I'm so glad I didn't put up a rain barrel.  It would crack in these temperatures.